SUMMARY: Everyone can benefit from the use of alcohol-free mouthwashes and oral care probiotics, but people with braces may particularly need these products.

Posted: August 31, 2012

Everyone can benefit from the use of alcohol-free mouthwashes and oral care probiotics, but people with braces may particularly need these products. That's because you have to take extra special care of your teeth while wearing braces.

According to Hendrix Orthodontics, frequent brushing and plaque removal are more important than ever for orthodontics patients, because they may face an increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease if they do not take proper care of their teeth while wearing braces. These conditions may cause discomfort and can also result in some seriously bad breath and a reduced quality of life.

Just ask Devin Bost of Oregon. According to an article published in The Oregonian, Bost found himself with serious tooth decay and periodontal disease after 11 years of wearing braces. Now, the 22-year-old is suing his orthodontist, claiming that his dental problems are the result of his braces being left on for too long.

"What I'm told by the experts is, 'You can't do this. You can't keep [braces] on that long. It's just not done," said Bost's Portland attorney, David Hollander, quoted by the news source.

The lawsuit claims that Bost began visiting his orthodontist in 1997, after another dental health professional administered his braces. The young man visited the orthodontist occasionally, though admits that it was not as much as he should have. Bost states that one day he suddenly received a call saying that he had to come in and have his braces removed immediately, and then the tooth decay was discovered.

According to The Oregonian, Bost is asking for $185,100 for pain and suffering, as well as to cover his medical expenses.

So, if you or someone you know has braces, don't wait till they come off to discover dental problems. In the meantime, use alcohol-free mouthwash and other specialty products to avoid these issues.